Leros island -

Leros island holidays

Leros is an island with a very healthy climate ideal for a quiet holiday. Evergreen, with many inviting coves and beautiful sandy beaches, Leros relaxes the visitor with its tranquil landscape. Not very touristy, the main port of Lakki is one of the best examples of Art Deco architecture in Greece. It was designed by Mussolini's architects in 1923 and although in defiance of the dictator's wishes, the capital was subsequently moved above the village of Platanos. The rest of the island is green with stunning beaches and large bays. Leros is the ideal home base for sailing trips to the coast of Turkey and the other Dodecanese islands.

Lying between Patmos and Kalymnos, Leros is an island with many beautiful bays. Indeed one of these is used for its main harbour, Lakki, which is the largest and safest in the Dodecanese islands. Without high mountains but with a lot of greenery, mainly pine trees, it has an area of 53 sq. kms and a coastline of 71 kms. It has a population of more than 8,000 inhabitants most of whom are concentrated in Lakki and three other settlements which are joined to each other: Platanos, which is the capital, Aghia Marina, the island's second port, and Panteli. Platanos is the capital of the island, built amphitheatrically below the impressive castle, with its traditional houses, the picturesque narrow lanes, the small lanes, the small square with a plane tree in the middle and the Town Hall on one side. The archaeological collection is kept at the Town Hall and high up in the village, on the slopes of the castle, is the Old church of Aghia Paraskevi. The castle is definitely worth a visit. From there you can admire the lacy coastline, the beautiful sand beaches and the blue sea. From the square of Platanos a downhill street leads after about 500 meters to teh picturesque Aghia Marina, the island's second harbour. There are a few remains of the ancient town there. The two settlements are joined together. South of Platanos is the third settlement, Panteli, to the rear of a bay with the same name which has a sand beach. All three of these settlements are now joined together as from time to time houses were built in between following the contours of the natural terrain. The main port of the island is Lakki, situated in its enclosed and secure bay. Large buildings, wide streets and a lot of greenery give it a completely different look from that of the villages which you are bound to encounter visiting the island of Leros. Alinda is a beautiful seaside settlement with an extensive sand beach and avery clean water. It is 3 kms NW of Platanos to the back of Alinda bay (or Aghia Marina). West of the bay of Aghia Marina and very near it (a neck is formed there) is the bay of Gourna with two mangificent sand beaches, Kokkalis and Drymonas. This region also has the picturesque Aghios Isidoros. On the Northernmost tip of Lero sis Partheni and the bay of the same name with the islet of Archangelos at its entrance. It is 9 kms from Platanos and it is said that the temple of the Parthenos (Virgin) Artemis was built there from which it took its present name. The airport is also close to Partheni. Xerokambos is an old seaside settlement on the southernmost end of the island, 8 kms from Platanos. It lies to the back of a narrow bay of the same name and has a beau-tiful beach with sparkling clean water.

LEROS | cultural INFORMATION

History

Leros has been inhabited since prehistoric times. The first inhabitants were most probably the Pelasgians, the Leleges and the Carians. Later the Dorians came and they were then expelled by the Ionians. From that time on Leros ws closely connected to the Ionian towns, Miletus in particular. This was followed by the occupation of the Persians who withdrew after their defeat in Greece. In 1316 the Knights of the Order of St. John became the rulers of the island. From 1455 to 1527 there were repeated pirate attacks aimed at capturing the island. From 1522 it was occupied by the Turks and remained under their occupation until 1821 when the Greek war of Independence broke out and it became part of the free Greek state. In 1912 Leros island was taken over by the Italians as were the other Dodecanese islands. The Italian occupation ended in 1943 when the Germans assumed control. During the Italian occupation important fortification works were carried out and military installations built. A new town was created at Lakki, with its own special architecture, which was unique for Europe of the period between the wars. Leros island was finally united to Greece in 1948. The harbor of Skala becomes the safest and main port in thewhole area. Large storehouses are built, castles and rich mansions to protect against attacks from pirates. In 1659 the Venetians destroy the island and in 1669 the island falls under Turkish occupation. The island of Patmos is finally freed in 1948 and united with the rest of Greece.

Monastery of Our Lady of the Angels ('Kyra ton Agelon') - Next to the Monastery, there is one of Leros' most ancient churches; the one of St. Peter. Visit daily 10.00 - 14.00 & 16.00 - 19.30.

What to see

Monastery of Panaghia Kyra (Our Lady)

Chapel of Aghios Isidoros in Alinda built on an islet-rock

Church of Panaghia tis Gourlomatas dating to the 14th century

Monasteries of Aghios Sofronios and Aghioi Saranda in Alinda

Churches of Aghios Spiridonas, Aghios Zacharias, Aghios Ioannis tou Theologou and Aghios Georgios at the entrance to the bay of Lakki

"Bourtzi"-a roman fortress at the entrance of the harbour of Aghia Marina.

"Castle of Platanos" - built on ancient ruins during the Byzantine period. Excavations revealed a tomb from the 7th century B.C.

"Palaiokastro" - sections of the wall of the ancient acropolis from the 4th century B.C. have survived

LEROS | Villages

The island of Leros has 3 settlements : Lakki, Krithoni and Partheni.

{tab Chora}

Lakki is a beautiful settlement where streets are lined up with eucalyptus trees and there are magnificent Italian buildings.

{tab Pera Yialos }

Pera Yialos is a small settlement located within a short waking distance from Chora. First, it was the port of the island and welcomed the island visitors, until the new port at Aghios Andreas was constructed. It is quite developed and ideal for a short stay and swimming at the wonderful beach. This is where most tourist facilities on the island are found, from hotels to cafeterias, taverns and beach bars. Today, it serves regural trips to the nearby beaches and sites that attract many tourists. Not to miss the beautiful sunset from Pera Yialos and the caique boats returning from their fishing full of fish.

{tab Livadi }

Livadi is a seaside village located 21km southeast of Chora. Livadi is a rich coastal valley that produces exceptional quality citrus fruits and vegetables and ends upon an excellent sandy beach. The great epic poet, Homer, had described this pleasant valley as the Table of the Gods because of its productive soil and rich fertility. On its western hills, there are large numbers of windmills forming a nice pattern and on the valley there is an artificial lake surrounded by trees and beautiful birds. There are many cafeterias, traditional taverns and local bars in Livadia where fresh fish and good food are served.

Analipsi

Analipsi or Maltezana lies on a small fertile plain on the northern side of the island and it has a beautiful sandy beach. Many fishermen moor their boats here and the daily cruise caiques depart from here. There are many sights to visit including the chapel of Analipsi, at the end of the village and the Agia Varvara chapel built on the site of the ancient temple of Artemis. The ruins of the temple can still be found at the chapel to this date. There are some wonderful mosaics from the 3rd century in the chapel. There is also the Panagia Poulariani monastery. There are some beaches around the village as well, at Vryssi and Shinonta. Makrigialos is a village adjacent to the village of Analipsi. Excavations in the region brought out a Minoan villa. A villa from the Roman period was also excavated in the region.

{tab Vathi }

Vathi is the smallest and most remote village of Astypalaia. Vathi is a traditional fishing village and has a harbour which offers natural protection from the winds, where ferries dock when the wind is not suitable in the port of Astypalea.

The village of Vathi accommodates beautiful and calm beaches with crystal clear waters. One can also take pleasure in the fresh fish dishes and other local delicacies in the traditional taverns and ouzo bars available. Near Vathi, there are two ancient limestone caves, the Cave of the Dragon with deposits of stalaktites and stalagmites and the other one is the Cave of the Negro.

LEROS | Beaches

There are beaches at Pera Yialos, Livadi and Maltezana that you can also go to with the local buses. Further away, are the beaches of Agios Constantinos, Tzanaki, Papou, Moura and the wonderful beach of Kaminakia (with a good tavern), that can be reached by road or caique.

More remote are the beaches of Ai-Giannis, Panormos, Pachia Ammos and Vathi, while the daily excursion caiques also take you to the nearby islets of Agia Kyriaki and Koutsomitis.

The beach of Vatses is also very nice – it has a cantine and sun umbrellas whilst on the right and at a height of about 150m is the Cave of the Negro. At the northernmost point of Exo Nisi is the beach of Psili Ammos.

Get around

You can get around by bus or by car or motorbike.

From Pera Yialos a bus travels every 30 minutes in July and August (four times daily other months) to Hora and Livadi (€1), and from Hora and Pera Yialos hourly in July and August (three times daily other months) to Analipsi (Maltezana; €1.50) via Marmari Beach.

LEROS | SPORTS & ACTIVITIES

Sailing & Yachting

The endless coastline of the Dodecanese islands and the fact that many of them are close to each other are ideal for visiting these islands with your own or a rented sail or motor boat. There are many sailing agencies that offer such options. The only Dodecanese islands that dispose of marinas are Nisyros, Rhodes, Kos, Tilos, Astypalaia and Leros.

Excursions & Sports

A special experience is to rent in Pera Gialos a motor boat and take the island tour! No diploma required.

There are daily excursion boats departing from Pera Yialos and Maltezana ports that take you to the more remote western beaches of Agios Ioannis, Kaminakia and Vatses, or to the islets of Koutsomytis or Kounoupa. When the weather is good, they run longer round-island excursions. Tickets are bought on the boat.

You can enjoy water sports (bike, canoe, windsurfing) at Livadi beach!

Ecotourism

Climbing: Astypalea disposes of a very interesting climbing field called “Ftera” with 20 climbing routes that are equipped with stainless steel M10 connectors and relays to an end. The rock is limestone and is generally quite good. The field is easily accessible from the townn of Chora (20 minutes by car in good dirt road).

Trekking: There is an important network of market trails

Caves: for the lovers of speleology Astypalaia has 2 mapped caves. The cave of the Negro, in Vatses with unique stalactites and stalagmites and the cave of the Dragon, in Vathi or else know as “Drakospilia” (recommended only for experienced climbers).

Island Hopping

Astypalea can be combined with the Cyclades islands of Amorgos, Donoussa, Naxos and Paros and the Dodecanese island of Kalymnos.

LEROS MAP

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